The moment has arrived, Federer will face Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon Final. Hot online sports betting money has been going to wagering on Nadal during Wimbledon betting. Records were being broken, not only at BetUS but also worldwide in the tennis betting markets. Now, with the Wimbledon final set to kick off on Sunday, the online sports betting community is presented with one more opportunity to bet on Nadal.

This time it is in the most important and much anticipated battle on Centre Court – the online 2008 Wimbledon final. The match that sports bettors are comparing to the legendary rivalry of Borg-McEnroe of 1980/81, where Borg was the Federer and McEnroe the Nadal who ended Borg’s streak of five Wimbledon titles in 1981, has everyone wondering whether history will repeat itself. So when the grass has nestled, the final bow taken, who will be the one clutching the Wimbledon trophy? Will Federer return to the Wimbledon fold or will Wimbledon embrace a new champion? Here is my take on this sensational and fitting 2008 Wimbledon billing.

2008 Wimbledon Final Betting Line: Roger Federer -140 Rafael Nadal EV 1

Head-to-head Analysis: Nadal Leads 11-6

 Nadal is one of few players who can claim a winning record over the World No.1. In Grand Slams they have met six times, with Nadal getting the better of Nadal 4-2. This is their seventh Grand Slam final meeting and second in 2008. Nadal defeated Federer thoroughly in the French Open final

Nadal (EVEN) For the past three years, Rafael Nadal has made a concentrated effort to improve his grass court game. In 2006, when Nadal reached the first Wimbledon final, he was but a rookie. He managed to take one set of Federer before Federer clinched the victory in four. In 2007, in spite of playing seven straight days (because of rain delays) and hindered with a knee injury, Nadal impressively managed to come close to beating Federer. Stretching the maestro to an epic five set battle 7-6(7), 4-6, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-2. This year Nadal has his best shot of winning Wimbledon.

Nadal arrives in the final having dropped just one set – against Ernests Gulbis in the second round. In the quarterfinal, he was nothing short of superb in his powerful dismissal of Andy Murray. With a relatively straightforward victory in the semi-final against Rainer Schuettler, Nadal should be fresh and well rested to meet the challenge of Federer.

Federer (-140) Roger Federer is in his domain, his favourite playground. Federer’s game is cut for grass and he has sat on his grass perch for five years, amassing a 64 consecutive match win record. Federer is gunning for a historic sixth consecutive Wimbledon title.

Tennis Prediction: While Federer has failed to solve the Nadal dilemma on clay in three tries at the French Open, he has in their last two meetings at Wimbledon. But with the season the Spaniard has enjoyed, significantly winning the Stella Artois Championship, the big question is will Nadal solve the dilemma that is Federer on grass. This match will probably go one of two ways – either it will be a blowout like the French Open final or it will be another epic like the 2007 Wimbledon title. I am hoping for the latter. Since Nadal’s loss at the Masters Series in Rome, he has enjoyed a 23-match-winning streak highlighted by winning the title in Hamburg, French Open and Stella Artois Championships.

2008 Wimbledon Final Betting Prediction: I cannot help but feel the turning of tides may have finally arrived in the Spaniards fortunes. He has been World No.2 for three years – a feat no other has accomplished. His run-up to Wimbledon was convincing and his progress through the rounds at the All England Club only confirmed him even more as a viable contender for the 2008 Wimbledon title. Even the odds makers’ are giving him a shot at even odds. Heck, even Bjorn Borg himself picks Nadal – and he is a big fan of Federer.

2008 Wimbledon Final Free Picks: Nadal in four sets

As the online tennis betting community looks ahead to the final rounds of Wimbledon betting action, the quarterfinal line-up in men’s tennis betting is causing quite a stir.

Wimbledon Matchup: Rafael Nadal vs Scot Andy Murray

2006 and 2007 Wimbledon runner-up Rafael Nadal owns a perfect record against the Scot, but tomorrow his 3-0 mark against Murray will be tested on the luscious lawns of Wimbledon centre court. Murray continue his bid for a first-ever Grand Slam title.

Online Wimbledon Betting Line:

Andrew Murray +5½ -115 +350 Over 36½ -135

Rafael Nadal -5½ -125 -600 Under 36½ -105

2008 Wimbledon Quarterfinal Free Picks: Nadal in four sets. Bet Now!!
Wimbledon Matchup: Marat Safin vs Feliciano Lopez

Marat Safin trails 1-4 against Feliciano Lopez, their last meeting coming in 2007 in Miami. They met once before at Wimbledon in their five encounters – the 2005 Wimbledon R32. Lopez won the encounter in close straight sets 6-4 7-6(4) 6-3. They are evenly matched. Despite the odds this game is wide open for the taking and a berth in the semi-final – possibly a date with Federer is the reward. The question is who wants it more.

Online Wimbledon Betting Line:

Marat Safin -2½ -125 -165 Over 41½ -115

Feliciano Lopez +2½ -115 +125 Under 41½ -125

2008 Wimbledon Quarterfinal Free Picks: Safin in four sets. Bet Now!!
Wimbledon Matchup: Roger Federer vs Mario Ancic

Federer is going for his 6th straight Wimbledon title and he’s answered all the pre-tournament critics who claimed he’s lost a step and maybe shouldn’t even be the number one seed.  His last match was a straight set win over former champion Lleyton Hewitt, meaning Federer hasn’t lost a set in his four tournament matches. Ancic is an unseeded player from Croatia who is ironically the last player to beat the Swiss legend at Wimbledon back in 2002. 

Online Wimbledon Betting Line:

Roger Federer -7 -135 -2500 Over 31½ -120

Mario Ancic +7 -105 +900 Under 31½ -120

2008 Wimbledon Quarterfinal Free Picks: For long shot pushers take Ancic. The money play is too good to ignore. But for a safe bet take Federer to advance in four sets.  Bet Now!!

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The online tennis betting trend, recovering from the shock upset of Maria Sharapova today, turn towards short-odds on favourites Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic as the third round tennis betting action gets set to kick off on Friday, June 27, 2008. So how will the two starlets in women’s tennis fair? Here is a look at the online tennis odds currently available for the online sports betting community.

Online Tennis Betting Line: Amelie Mauresmo +250 Serena Williams -400

2008 Wimbledon Tennis Betting Preview: In terms of betting on this matchup, as sensational as this billing is, many feel Amelie Mauresmo, the 2006 Wimbledon champion, has passed her prime. Meanwhile, Serena Williams stock is still rising in the tennis betting markets. Aside from popular opinion, recommending Williams on the money line is a 9-2 career head-to-head record against the Frenchwoman.

Tennis Free Picks: Mauresmo in three sets. Start betting now!
Online Tennis Betting Line: Anabel Medina Garrigues +135 Agnes Szavay -175

2008 Wimbledon Tennis Betting Preview: Agnes Szavay favours the fast surfaces. Ranked No.15 in the World, the Hungarian teenager is loaded with talent, but has had a slow season thus far. At -175 favourite odds, she is the better play.

Tennis Free Picks: Szavay in straight sets.  Bet now!!

Online Tennis Betting Line: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova +300 Agnieszka Radwanska -500

2008 Wimbledon Tennis Betting Preview: Rising Polish tennis star Agnieszka Radwanska won the title in Eastbourne last week – a Wimbledon tune-up event. With three WTA titles for the year already and a 36-11 mark at the start of her Wimbledon run, Agnieska Radwanska is the player to watch in her section of the draw.

Tennis Free Picks: Radwanska in straight sets

Online Tennis Betting Line: Evgeniya Rodina +300 Anna Chakvetadze -500

2008 Wimbledon Tennis Betting Preview: Ana Chakvetadze has had a bit of a seesaw year. Ranked No.8 in the world she is in a bit of a slump and since winning the title in Paris earlier this year, she has failed to factor deep in tournaments. An upset of the eighth seed in Wimbledon is very likely. N

Tennis Free Picks: Chakvetadze in three sets

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Maria Sharapova (9/4) – She’s having a pretty sunny year after breaking Justine Henin’s 32 match winning streak and going on to win the Australian Open without dropping a set. She won the Singles title at the Qatar Total Open. Her first loss of the year was to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the semifinals of the Pacific Life Open. So it comes as no surprise that she’s favoured by the bookies at 9/4 (general). There are some, however, who inquire after Maria’s shoulder after a spot of bother at the DFS Classic in Birmingham. Also take into consideration the rocky ride she took us on at the French Open.

Serena Williams (5/2) – Knocked out of the Australian Open by Jankovic at the quarter-finals (her fourth consecutive loss in the quarter finals of a Grand slam singles tournament). She and her Sister were then knocked out of the doubles event in the quarter-finals. After the Australian Open she cancelled her next four tournaments. A rocky start to 2008 for Serena, so it comes as a surprise that she is seeded as no.2 to win this tournament. Ladbrokes and Coral have her at 3/1 while Betfair is on 4.3/1. I find it hard to believe that she’s a contender for the final this year.

Ana Ivanovic (5/1) – Ana has shown spectactular performance this year making both grand slam finals and winning the French Open. Now ranked No.1 in the world (partly due to Henin’s retirement) I reckon she’s good value at 5/1 general. Although it would be interesting to see her up against Dementieva (ranked 10th favourite) at Wimbledon as she’s already lost to her twice this year.

Venus Williams (9/2) – 9/2 at Bet365 and BlueSq and 6/1 at Betfair means there’s a lot more contesting between the top few players for the favourite spot than in the men’s event. It would be unwise to disregard anyone in the top four until you’ve really knuckled down to your research. Venus squeezed in a win over Maria Sharapova early on in the year at the Hong Kong Exhibition Tournament but yielded a win to Ivanovic in the Australian Open. It’s a tricky call especially as the bookies rate her 4th favourite.

Jelena Jankovic (14/1) – Its hard to see Jelena come through for Wimbledon especially as she doesn’t have any previous Singles Grand slams under her belt. Her talents lie elsewhere on the clay court or in the doubles event. Betfair rates Jankovic for an unoptimistic 16.5/1 a large margin from the top four seeded. Ladbrokes have her at 14/1.

Roger Federer (5/4) – The Fedster is back after a crushing defeat at the hands of Nadal in the French open, it doesn’t look like he enjoyed his worst loss since 99 either after he ripped his way through the Gerry Webber Open without dropping a set. Merely a warm up for the chance to turn things around between him and Rafael at Wimbledon. Despite his good form at the French Open, Federer couldn’t handle a greased up Nadal on clay but now as we move into Roger’s element the bookies mark him down as 5/4 . No doubt Federer will have a mind to turn up the heat in this tournament.

Rafael Nadal (9/4)– Rafa has fallen at the last hurdle these last two years. There’s no question that this Spanish brute is an exceptional player but he just can’t seem to face up to Roger on grass. He has the momentum considering his recent victory in the French Open and Queens Club Championships (including a win over Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic). The bookies have made a rational choice to put him at 2/1 (general). Given his recently proved dominance over Djokovic on grass it’d be very easy to guess at yet another Federer/Nadal final despite a slight inclination to place my money elsewhere.

Novak Djokovic (7/2) – Beat Federer earlier in the year at the Australian open on the new ‘Plexicushion’ surface in the semi-finals which he subsequently went on to win. Since then he has met Nadal twice. Once on clay at the French Open (had he won he would have replaced Nadal as the World No. 2) and once at the Artois championships on grass. Both times he was defeated. Novak’s skill is sufficient to give Rafa a run for his money but his lack of stamina will seriously affect his game if he comes up against any of the other players in the top 4. Betfair are offering reasonable value at 4.4/1.

Andy Roddick (43/1) – Andy is fourth favourite to win the tournament but its clear he trails by some distant from the top 3 when the bookies have him at 25/1 (Blue Sq and Ladbrokes) Centrebet have even gone as far as 40/1. However Roddick has shown considerable promise this year after a win over Nadal in the Dubai Tennis Championships in the Quarter Finals and Djokovic in the Semi-Finals. He also defeated Federer at the 2008 Miami Masters. He was forced to pull out of the French open due to a shoulder injury but made it to the semi finals of the Queens championship where Nadal defeated him. I think Roddick has a reasonable chance of success in this tournament though it’s hard to see him making past the top three players in the same tournament.

Andy Murray (33/1) – Betfair have got Britain’s favourite at 49/1…. Still, the general opinion of the bookies is that he’s 5th favourite to win, that’s enough to raise the hopes of those who so faithfully supported the futile Tim Henman campaign all those years. Has Britain’s time come again?

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